Caledonia
p. 30 · Read in the full issue
Conditions In New
The Problem of the Franc
“fTIHE chrome and nickel mines in X New Caledonia are working at full pressure”, said Mr. C. E. Tait, man aging director of W. S. Tait and Co.
Pty. Ltd., well-known Sydney merchants, on his return from a visit to the Colony recently.
The low rate of the franc is placing a handicap upon trade between Australia and New Caledonia, stated Mr. Tait. He pointed out that household com modities sucn as butter, cheese, etc., were looked upon as luxuries in New Cale donia to-day whereas previous to the devaluation of the franc, they were re garded merely as necessities.
As the result of a decree by the French Government on May 10, the importation of Japanese goods into all Frencn Colon ies was prohibited, continued Mr. Tait, but it was not known whether the em bargo would be strictly maintained or whether certain shipments could be im ported at the discretion of the French Consul in Japan. A large number of Japanese storekeepers operate in New Caledonia and Mr. Tait said that they could buy goods wholesale 10 per cent, cheaper than the French, and sell them at 5 per cent, cheaper than the other traders.
Noumea is looking very prosperous, add ed Mr. Tait. Roads have been improved, and a feature of the town was the con struction of new modern bungalow types of houses, replacing the old-fashioned type of colonial house.